When the need for student-level stage band publications was realized, the brainchild of three instrumental music teachers immediately started a publishing company in December 1953 giving birth to the now known Kendor Music. The company name came from the combination of names of Western New York communities of Kenmore, Delevan, and East Aurora where the founders Les Chappell, Art Dedrick and Bob Hudson taught, respectively. Kendor Music started its first year as an evening-and-weekend project comprising of only 6 staffs of which includes the three founders and their respective wives. Collation of music was done manually at the basement of Bob Hudson`s house. The first four Prom Series arrangements namely, Moonlight Waltz, Prom Jump, Liebestraum, and Finale medley were publicized early in 1954. All the sales and marketing activities for the first Kendor publications were done manually using single-page brochures mailed to all the schools listed in the directory of the New York State School Music Association at the time.

During those days, Kendor Music monopolized the student-level stage band publication industry. Though there are a lot of stock charts available, school bands usually find them too difficult. Armed with his experience as a public school teacher and as a trombone player and arranger for the famous Vaughn Monroe band way back 1940`s, Art Dedrick incorporated all the appealing elements of professional charts in the first Prom Series arrangements making them easier for young school jazz musicians.

Kendor has successfully released thousands of works and has been behind the launching to the worldwide jazz education community of the music of great writers including Thad Jones, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Sammy Nestico, Jeff Jarvis, Bob Mintzer, John Fedchock, Frank Mantooth, Maria Schneider, among others. Besides jazz, the Kendor catalog that offers quality editions for various concert bands, string and full orchestras, instrumental soloists and chamber ensembles has also gained international popularity. Kendor also carries a number of critically-acclaimed books that tackles jazz improvisation, composing and arranging, and performance.

Kendor launched educational music to the market in 1992 by offering teachers a means to save money. The company sold extra score and part components from their solo and ensemble editions, rather than selling an entire publication. This is such a great deal especially when the customer only needs a particular piano score for adjudication or something to replace one that might be lost or damaged. This venture has gained a lot of positive reviews from teachers and retailers, especially. Due to the innovative ideas fearlessly brought to the market, Kendor became the recipient of the prestigious `Publisher of the Year` award from an international association, that is, the Retail Print Music Dealers Association.

Currently, continues to maintain its reputation of excellence in the publishing industry. It also continues to expand through acquisition of exclusive distributorship of other publishing outlets such as the Doug Beach Music, another outstanding label that caters to jazz education. With the supervision of its seasoned key officers, Craig Cornwall (President) and Jeff Jarvis (CEO), Kendor`s future in the publishing industry is undeniably promising.

Posted By :Jeff MooreDate Posted:
12 February 2009 07:15:00 AMVibes solos with piano accomp. 4 solos, 4 mallets. Easier than "Music of the Day." Piano often doubles melody line. Used more to develop contour in phrasing melody. Some are difficult to read. Early college level.